A recent survey reveals that nearly one in eight German online shoppers have been victims of fake online stores within the last two years. These fraudulent sites often mimic legitimate businesses, taking payments for goods that are never delivered to customers.

• Nearly 70 percent of online shoppers encountered dubious or fraudulent websites in the past two years, with 51 percent encountering them multiple times.
• The Federation of German Consumer Organisations (VZBV) reported over 10,000 complaints about fake online stores in 2024, a 47 percent increase from 2023.
• Ramona Pop, VZBV board member, stated that major online platforms like Google and Meta, which profit from advertising, must take greater responsibility, as half of the examined fake shops placed ads on their platforms.